India's Tech Rise: Celebrate Breakthroughs on National Tech

Every year on May 11th, India celebrates National Technology Day. Today marks the anniversary of the 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran, a momentous event that showcased India's technical prowess and autonomy in critical technologies. On May 11, 1998, at 6:00 p.m. (Indian local time), Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee declared that the country's first nuclear testing since the 1974 "peaceful nuclear test" had been successfully completed. He read the sentence that followed

Today at 1545 hrs, India conducted three underground nuclear tests in the Pokhran range. The tests were conducted with a fission device, a low yield device and a thermonuclear device. The measured yields are in line with expected values. Measurements have also confirmed that there was no release of radioactivity into the atmosphere. These were contained explosions like the experiment conducted in may 1974. I warmly congratulate the scientists and engineers who have carried out these successful tests.

"Today at 15:45 hrs., India conducted three underground nuclear tests in Pokhran range. The test conducted today were with a fission device, a low yield device and a thermonuclear device."
- Former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in a statement on #Pokhran2 (11/05/1998)@PIB_India pic.twitter.com/CfLQrLYZn0— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) May 11, 2018

On this day, scientists, engineers, and anybody else working to promote technology in India are recognised for their achievements.

National Technology Day is not only a time to commemorate historical accomplishments but also to reflect on how technology is affecting our present and future. It acts as a reminder of the commitment of the country to advance science and technology for the good of all people. The goal of the 2024 theme, "School to Startups-Igniting Young Minds to Innovate," is to promote startup culture and creativity.

As we celebrate this day, let's explore the financial impact and statistics of various sectors that have been at the forefront of India's technological revolution:

- Space Exploration:The successes of ISRO, such as the Mars Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan, have not only raised national pride but also stimulated economic growth in the aerospace sector. The Indian space sector is expected to flourish with the Government of India allocating Rs 12,543.91 crore for the Indian Space Programme in the fiscal year 2023–2024.

- Information technology: The IT sector, which includes industry titans like Infosys and TCS, has propelled economic expansion. The revenue generated by the technology sector, which includes hardware, is expected to reach US$254 billion in FY2024, growing at a rate of 3.8 percent annually.

- Pharmaceuticals: Indian pharmaceuticals have advanced significantly under the direction of businesses like Cipla and Bharat Biotech. By 2024, the industry is projected to reach a $65 billion market size, with generics playing a crucial role.

- Nuclear Technology: India's strategic vision for energy security includes the development of nuclear power based on thorium. There have been consistent investments made in the nuclear energy sector, with plans to raise the capacity of nuclear power generation to 22,480 MW by 2031.

- Defence and Aerospace: The country's emphasis on bolstering its defence capabilities is reflected in the budget allocation of INR 5,93,537.64 crore for FY 24, which goes towards projects like the BrahMos Missile.

- Supercomputing: The National Supercomputing Mission has allocated INR 4500 crores to build a vast grid of over 70 high-performance computing facilities across the nation, bolstering the supercomputing sector, which is powered by the PARAM series.

- The Green Revolution: The agricultural technology sector has made a significant contribution to India's food security. Considering the significance of technology in agriculture, the Indian government has set aside INR 600 crore to promote the agriculture sector through technology and INR 450 crore for the Digital Agriculture Mission as of May 2024.

- Mathematics and Computing: India's digital economy is predicted to reach $1 trillion by 2025. The fundamental contributions of ancient Indian mathematicians continue to influence modern computing, a field that has experienced exponential growth.

- Medical Science: The field of traditional medicine, which includes Ayurveda, has experienced tremendous growth. By 2022, it is anticipated that the traditional medicine sector of Ayurvedic (AYUSH) medicine will have a $23.3 billion market. By 2024, the manufacturing value of the sector had increased to 24 billion from 18 billion in 2020. In 2024, the AYUSH service sector was valued at $26 billion, surpassing $50 billion in total worth. A CAGR of almost 17% is anticipated for the AYUSH sector between 2024 and 2032.

- Environmental Technology: The market for renewable energy is growing quickly. By 2022, India aimed to have 175 GW of renewable energy capacity, and in the last four years, the industry had drawn over $42 billion in investment. Large hydropower is one of the renewable energy sources, with a combined installed capacity of 190.57 GW as of March 2024.

- Digital Infrastructure: 8,375 crore transactions were recorded in FY2022-23, indicating the massive expansion of digital payments powered by UPI.

These industries not only make substantial contributions to India's GDP but are also essential to the country's citizens' day-to-day existence.

Recent Breakthroughs in Indian Technology

As we commemorate this day, let’s highlight some recent breakthroughs that have furthered India’s position as a global tech leader.

Space Exploration: With the launch of Vikram-S by Skyroot Aerospace, India's first private space mission, Prarambh, achieved a historic first. This significant achievement paves the way for upcoming commercial space endeavours and symbolises India's growing private space industry.
Information Technology: With huge investments like Micron's $2.75 billion semiconductor plant in Gujarat, India is poised to become a major hub for chip manufacturing thanks to the groundbreaking work of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
Healthcare and AI: By 2025, it is anticipated that the Indian healthcare AI market will be worth USD 1.6 billion. AI-driven healthcare applications have revolutionised patient care and treatment outcomes by enabling early illness detection, precise patient monitoring, drug development trials, and personalised medicine.

Call to Action

As we consider these accomplishments, let's decide to take an active role in India's technological history rather than merely being observers. Investigate the world of Indian technology, keep up with the most recent developments, and think about how you can support the country's progress. Every idea and innovation, regardless of the source—a student, a professional, or an enthusiast—contributes to the overall advancement of our nation. As we work to create an atmosphere that encourages creativity and innovation, let's commit to supporting and interacting with India's tech community. Together, we can make sure that India is recognised around the world as a leader in technology.